A Mother's Purpose

According to The Family: A Proclamation to the World, a mother’s purpose is to be “primary responsible for the nurture of their children.”  They do this in a partnership with their husbands as part of God’s plan for the family.  A few days ago, one of my sisters made the comment that she felt a little bit jealous when watching so many of the people in our family arrive at home from work each day.  Her wistful imaginings got me started thinking about all of the many functions and roles she holds for her children.  If she were putting together a resume, it would include things like barber/beautician, nurse, math tutor, piano teacher, chauffeur, short order cook, maid, laundress, teacher, artist, confidant, and many, many more.  I think that it would be far easier to try to put together a list of the things that mothers don’t do when caring for their children than it would be to create an exhaustive list of all of the things they do each day.

If only she could know how much I long for children of my own and for the chance to be able to stay home with them.  I find meaning and fulfillment in my work, but not nearly as much as I do for spending a few hours with her children.  I suppose there is something of the grass is always greener paradox here, but I think it is more than that.  I think that God has planted a divine desire to love and nurture a family in women so that they will feel a drive to fulfill their divine purpose.  

According to J. Reuben Clark, women are able to have a unique influence in the lives of their children.  David O. McKay had this to say about the influence of mothers.  “Motherhood is the greatest potential influence for good or ill in human life.  The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind.  It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world.”

For my sister, as for mothers everywhere, I imagine it is hard to keep sight of the noble purpose mentioned above while dealing with the mundane runny noses, gum in the hair, and tears and tantrums that are part of everyday life as a mother.  But from an outsider’s perspective, it is the fact that these children can count on their mothers to take care of those problems, as well as to listen to them, smile and laugh with them, answer the same question for the millionth time, play with them, and overall love them that makes such a difference in their lives.

These little, mundane everyday things add up.  James E. Faust has said, “the countless acts of selfless service mothers perform are recognized as expressions of the highest love and noblest of womanly feelings”.  Sheri Dew said, “Motherhood is more than bearing children…It is the essence of who we are as women.  It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.”  To my sister and to mothers everywhere, I would tell you that what you are doing is so important.  Even if it feels mundane, keep plugging along.  There is all the time in the world to have a career.  The place you hold now and the work you do can’t be replaced by any other person.  When the time is right, the work you are doing now is helping you develop a myriad of skills that can be used to bless the world.  And remember,